In a strong statement on Monday, China urged the United States to cease interfering in Hong Kong affairs and warned of potential countermeasures if U.S. visa restrictions targeting officials from the Chinese central government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government are implemented.
Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, addressed the issue following the U.S.'s recent announcement of new visa restrictions on Chinese officials. These measures were a direct response to a verdict issued by a Hong Kong court in a case involving conspiracy to commit subversion.
Mao criticized the U.S. move as an abuse of visa restrictions, stating that it deliberately attacks the principle of \"one country, two systems,\" smears China's national security law, and meddles with the judicial matters of the HKSAR.
\"Such moves blatantly interfere in China's internal affairs and violate international law and basic norms governing international relations. China strongly deplores and opposes it,\" Mao stated.
She further highlighted that the so-called \"primary election\" organized by those involved in the case, who are anti-China and aim to destabilize Hong Kong, constitutes a serious challenge to Hong Kong's constitutional order and endangers national security. Among the defendants, 31 have already pleaded guilty, Mao noted, emphasizing that the actions of law enforcement and judicial authorities in the HKSAR to uphold the law and punish acts undermining national security are reasonable and lawful, with firm support from the central government.
Mao reiterated that Hong Kong affairs are purely China's domestic matters that should not face external interference. She called on the U.S. to respect China's sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong, adhering to international law and the basic norms governing international relations.
Reference(s):
MOFA: China will respond if U.S. puts visa curbs on Chinese officials
cgtn.com
